CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE AND PREVALENCE OF FOOD SECURITY IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of temperature and rainfall variability in wheat and rice production for the period from 1981 to 2015 in Punjab, Pakistan. The datasets of climate and crops of 28 weather stations were analyzed using statistical methods. Findings revealed that the variability of the climate on wheat (Rabi) and rice (Kharif) crops observed (r2 = 903 and 938) in Punjab, respectively. The outcome showed that temperature during Kharif season is negatively influencing the rice. Similarly, a negative effect of temperature was also documented on wheat crop during Rabi season. A significant negative effect of rainfall was revealed which decreases the wheat production. Furthermore, variation in per capita availability of the rice and wheat crops indicated a negative impact of temperature on wheat and rice production.